Quality Of Regional Airport Runway Repair In Dispute

A disagreement over the quality of work being done by contractors replacing the main runway at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport has prompted federal officials to call in an independent third party to inspect the work and review the engineering.

The Federal Aviation Administration will pay for the review, Kelly Johnson, airport director, told board members Wednesday.

Johnson said airport officials aren't satisfied with the quality of the work being done, contractors maintain the work is being done as specified. The sides have met but were unable to reach an agreement.

AT A GLANCE

Mocivnik Remembered

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Board members observed a moment of silence Wednesday for one of their members, Virginia “Ginnie” Mocivnik, who died earlier this month at 79. Chairman Art Morris said Mocivnik, who served as secretary of the board, will be missed. “She was dedicated to this board and she was dedicated to what she wanted for this airport,” Morris said. “She was tenacious.” Phil Phillips will replace Mocivnik as board secretary.

Source: Staff Report

The project is also 24 to 25 days behind schedule, according to Johnson.

The $26.1 million project was awarded to The Harper Company of Hebron, Ky., last year. Kimley Horn and Associates is providing engineering services.

Lawyers for the airport and the contractors are expected to meet Friday.

The entire runway and base as well as drainage and electrical are being replaced. An alternate landing surface is being used while the runway is being replaced.

Repair to the 8,800-foot runway was needed because an alkaline reaction between aggregate and sand in the concrete mix caused cracks.

Cracks became noticeable about four years after the airport opened. Moisture and deicing solution exacerbated the problem.

Runways at other airports using the same concrete mix, which was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, have experienced similar problems.

The board also approved Wednesday a contract with a new company to provide advertising inside the airport terminal. The present contract for internal advertising with Clear Channel expires Dec. 15.

The new contract with Corey Advertising will be for five years with an option for another three years. It is expected to bring in more than $2 million for the airport over the next five years. Clear Channel’s bid would have generated about $1.4 million.

Clear Channel had provided advertising in the terminal since the airport opened. Staff opted to go out for bids this year to increase revenue.

Airport board members are getting a better idea of how much an airport access road may cost as part of an effort to update their master plan and financial planning. A two-lane road is estimated to cost about $30 million with annual debt service of $1.3 million. A four-lane road is estimated to cost $38 million with annual debt service of $1.9 million. The airport has $12 million in federal grant funds available.

The cost of maintaining the road hasn't been calculated. It's unclear whether the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department would take over maintenance if airport officials built the road.

The proposed limited-access road would connect the airport with a portion of the U.S 412 Springdale Northern Bypass.

The Highway Department pledged to build phase one of the proposed U.S. 412 bypass if a state sales tax for roads passed. That phase would get a road from Interstate 540 to Arkansas 112. Airport officials would be responsible for building about 4 miles of road from Arkansas 112 to the airport.

Highway officials have said their part is expected be done within five years.

The updated plan, when complete, will include information on projects such as the access road, a parking deck, a second runway, future concourse additions, ways to control development around the airport and the potential for developing an industrial and technical park west of the airport. Projects will be analyzed for need and demand, prioritized and vetted financially.

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